Frugal Blog Network Round Up

After a very long hiatus from carnivals and festivals, I finally submitted a post to the festival of frugality this week. Good Financial Cents hosted, and as always, there are a ton of great articles to browse through. If you haven’t already, head over there and check it out.

In the Frugal Blog Network,

Tight Fisted Miser is reading Your Money Or Your Life. I still haven’t read that book, even though it gets high marks by just about everyone who reads it. I know the concept, and I’m sure I’d enjoy the book. Several years ago, when we were digging our way out of debt, I read stacks and stacks of personal finance books (for a while, I don’t think I read anything else). But somehow I missed that one. So I’ll be following Andy’s reports to catch me up.

Almost Frugal gives us six advantages of not having any money. Most of us will go through ups and downs when it comes to money. Times without money are good practice for the rest of your life. Frugal habits will serve you well regardless of your financial situation. The same cannot be said for spendy habits.

Not Made Of Money asks whether you should hire a tax pro or do it yourself. I’ve done my own taxes as long as I’ve been filing taxes, but for the first few years after we incorporated our business, I consulted with an accountant. She charged $125/hr, and I bought one hour of her time each year. I do our corporate and personal returns myself, and save all my questions for my hour with her. The $125 I pay her is a fraction of what it would cost if she did everything for us, and it’s money well spent in terms of making sure I’ve done everything right. This year, for the first time, I was able to do our taxes without a consultation, and as long as we don’t make any major changes, I’ll be able to continue to do so in the future.

The Frugal Duchess has a story about a couple who had been married for decades and went through their old valentines and love notes, re-sharing the ones that meant the most to them over the years. I love this idea (and it’s free!)